Carriage-top-bow support



(No Model.)

J. P. WHITMAN.

CARRIAGE TOP BOW SUPPORT. No. 272,814. Patented Feb-.20, 1883.

INVENTOR mzfiww ATTORNEYS.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFF CE,

JOSIAH P. WHITMAN, OF ITHAOA, MICHIGAN.

CARRlAGE-TOP-BOW SUPPORT.

SPECIFICATION torming part of Letteri Patent No. 272,814,. dated February 20, 1883, Application filed August 12,1882. No model.)

To all whom it may concern;

' Be it known that I, JosIAH P. WHITMAN, of Ithaca, in the county of Gratiot and State of Michigan, have invented a new and Improved Carriage-Top-Bow Support, of which the following is a toll, clear, and exact description.

My invention relates to an improved device for supporting and protecting the rear bow of carriage-tops at the points where they come upon the irons forming the lower joints of the frame, or upon other supports when the top is tipped back.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in both the figures.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a covered carriage having myinvention attached to the back bow of the topthereof; and Fig. 2 is a detailed view ofa part of the back bow, showing plainly the method of attaching my invention.

A represents the rear carriage-top bow, and B represents my improved bow support or protector, adapted to be attached to the rear side of the how, so that it will come upon the jointirons a or other part of the seat or box of the carriage and support the top when it is tipped back. The support or protector B is formed at its ends with the claas b b and at or near its center with the claw b. These claws are of wrought or malleable iron, and in attaching the support are adapted to be closed or shut down upon the bow by any suitable means without heating.

Upon the back of the support or protector is formed the head d, which comes upon the joint-iron a or some other part of the seat or box of the carriage when the top is tipped I back. This head may be covered to act as a cushion or spring; or it may be omitted altogether.

By this construction the device is adapted to be attached to the bow with great ease, and, being connected to the bow at several points, holds the bow firmly against all danger of being sprung or broken when the top is let down hastily or hard; and the device maybe attached to the how even after it is broken or badly sprung. In the former case it will hold the broken parts of the bow together, thus avoiding the immediate necessity of providing the top with a new bow, and in the latter case it will act asa truss to the bow for straighteningitand holdingit straight. Besides these advantages, the deviceis inexpensive, presents a nice appearance on the carriage, and does not in any way interfere with the convenience of the carriage, and is a complete protection to the bow, no matter how carelessly the top may be let down.

I am aware that a bow has been supported by a metallic plate or spring clam ped at each end to the bow, and that a revolving support combined with a brace has been employed; but

What I claim as new is- The bow-support B, having the end claws, b b, and the intermediate one, I), all formed of wrought or malleable metal, and adapted to be closed upon the bow without heating, as described.

JOSIAH P. WHITMAN.

Witnesses:

I. W. LEwIs, J UHN Saunas. 

